when will the round of 32 stage of the world cup begin?

The round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The first knockout match listed is South Africa vs. Canada at noon local time in Los Angeles.

Schedule window

The round of 32 runs from June 28 through July 3, 2026.

First match

• South Africa vs. Canada
• Sunday, June 28
• Noon local time in Los Angeles

Quick note

Different outlets list the same opening day, and the schedule confirms the knockout stage starts right after the group stage ends.

If you want the full round-of-32 fixture list in one view, I can format it cleanly.